Pedi controversy: Ratna Pathak’s statement on privileged women and objectification goes viral
Amid the ongoing Pedi controversy over the portrayal of Janhvi Kapoor’s character, an old video of Ratna Pathak discussing objectification in cinema has resurfaced and gone viral.
As pedi With Janhvi Kapoor’s character, Achiyamma, facing criticism over her portrayal, an old video of actor Ratna Pathak discussing objectification in cinema has resurfaced online and gone viral. The clip, originally from a 2017 panel discussion, is being shared widely on social media as the conversation about female representation in mainstream films intensifies. In the video, Pathak highlights how privileged women in the industry have the ability to reject objectified roles.
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in interview with news18Ratna Pathak talked about the responsibility that actors have when choosing roles that reduce women to objects of desire.
She said, “Every woman who decides to act in a film, every woman, I’m sorry to criticize, but every woman who decides to act in a film like Dabangg, where she is completely made an object of lust and more or less nothing else, those women should also stand up and say ‘No, I don’t feel like playing this kind of character’.”
She acknowledged that not all female artists enjoy the same privilege or freedom to reject such roles.
“Especially since I’ve got mom or dad to foot the bill for it, at least not right now, I wouldn’t do that. Silk Smitha didn’t get a chance to say this. Her family was dependent on her to do what she had to do. My family is not dependent, so why am I not standing up?”
The comments were made during a panel discussion that also included Vidya Balan, Bhumi Pednekar, Swara Bhaskar and Zaira Wasim. The conversation discussed sexism in the film industry, challenges faced by women artistes and the responsibility of artists in shaping social attitudes through cinema.
During the discussion, Bhumi Pednekar also shared her perspective on the issue and revealed that she had turned down many projects because she could not connect with the characters offered.
“We need to be more responsible. I completely agree, given the kind of impact we have on people, on the public, we need to know this because every time you are patting a girl on the back, there will be 10 boys in a small village in India doing the same thing and they think it’s okay.”
This video has surfaced again at such a time pediStarring Ram Charan and Janhvi Kapoor, Achiamma is facing criticism from a section of the audience over its portrayal.
Most debate focuses on the character’s introduction, where the camera focuses on her body for a long time before revealing her face. Critics have argued that the film’s treatment of the character prioritizes visual objectification over character development.
Many viewers have also questioned the romantic dynamics portrayed in the film, arguing that certain scenes blur the lines around consent and agency. What some interpreted as a playful romance was seen by others as normalizing harassment and a woman’s objections as obstacles to be overcome rather than boundaries to be respected.
pedi Was released in theaters on 4 June 2026.